Scottish Sea Farms spent over £100m – 85% of total supplier spend – procuring goods and services from local businesses in 2017.
This is up £13.9m on 2016 and is driven by the salmon producer’s long-standing policy to ‘buy Scottish’ wherever possible.
Scottish Sea Farms’ managing director Jim Gallagher said: “The communities in which we farm are integral to our success, from their natural resources to their local workforces and businesses. It seems only fitting therefore that these same communities should derive maximum value in return; something we are proud to have grown again in 2017 – and will strive to continue growing in 2018 and beyond.”
Countrywide benefits
The company, which operates 46 farm sites, two processing plants and employs 449 people, also procured goods and services from 709 local suppliers across Scotland last year. It invested most on feed, nutrition and ensuring optimum fish health, followed by construction of an innovative new freshwater facility at Barcaldine, near Oban. It achieved an average spend of GB£141,474 per Scottish-based supplier.
The recent Scottish Salmon Farming Economic Report, commissioned by the Scottish Salmon Producer’s Organisation, highlighted that the sector contributes GB£558m to the national economy in GVA and spends a total of GB£390m on local suppliers and services.
Minister for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing MSP commented: “These figures show the scale of the support that Scottish aquaculture provides for rural businesses, protecting and creating jobs, and supporting communities. The support they offer for research and innovation is also invaluable in ensuring the long-term future of the industry.”
Suppliers such as Gael Force have benefited from aquaculture industry orders with an increase in turnover of close to 45% in 2017 and 50 new jobs.
Fusion Marine, near Oban, recently received a £1m order from Scottish Sea Farms for new fish farm pens.
